The Epic of Gilgamesh | Gilgamesh as a Character

In the following essay, Kline traces the action of the epic and the development of Gilgamesh as a character. Kline concludes that by the end of the tale, Gilgamesh has changed considerably; he has gained an understanding of himself and of the importance of relationships with others.

In essence, The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story about Gilgamesh's search for identity and meaning, and readers of his story—both ancient and modern— have seen in Gilgamesh something of their own experience. These issues of identity and meaning are both personal and intimately related: if I know who I am, I can make better sense of the world in which I live; and if I can make better sense of my world, perhaps I can live a better, more satisfying life. Through its characters, themes, events, and structure, the story itself serves as a lens through which the reader may...

[The entire page is 4230 words long]

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